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RHS Wolverine Tristan White, kicking, played the ball forward against Rock Springs as Shaydon Coulson, 8, kept pace. Riverton will try to get in the win column Friday and Saturday against both Casper schools. Photo by Wayne Nicholls

RHS boys play home Friday against NC

Mar 29, 2012 - By Craig Blumenshine, Staff Writer

The Riverton Wolverine boys soccer team (0-3, 0-1 Class 4-A West) will continue Class 4-A West conference play against the two Casper schools this Friday and Saturday.

Natrona enters the match with just one win, a 2-1 decision over Evanston. The Mustangs have dropped matches Green River 3-2, Cheyenne Central 5-0 and Buffalo 4-2.

Kelly Walsh, which now plays in the Class 4-A West in place of now-Class 3-A Star Valley, has defeated Gillette 2-0 and Evanston 2-1 in game where they scored both goals in the first ten minutes, and has lost to Green River 1-0 and Jackson 4-0.

"As far as knowing what we are up against, I really don't know a whole lot about either team. Through the first round of playing everybody, we are just going to focus on what we need to do. On the second round, we'll look at film and evaluate see what we need to change to beat them or beat them again, head coach Erly Cornejo said.

The Wolverines have had a physically demanding week and have focused on learning to attack using the width of the field, according to Cornejo. Riverton has struggled scoring, netting just one goal in its first three games.

"We want to spread the field out from sideline to sideline We would like to get into third man runs and counter attacks, but that will be next week. I think for the most part we all could see this as a possibility, an 0-3 start. But that is what you get with a few veterans and trying to mold them together with some young kids. It s going to take some time. I know with this group of kids it is just a matter of time. And they are believing that. They understand what their ceiling is too," Cornejo said.

Overall, Riverton has rotated well defensively and in the midfield, according to Cornejo.

"Having a returning midfield, they knew how to play and how I want them to play, but they are so concerned about our young back line that they just kind of dropped back and played pretty safe, Cornejo said.

Riverton's midfield includes Josh Wright, Zach Zenk and Kade Salisbury. Aaron Nirider also plays midfield when Tristan White is playing as a forward.

Lars Becker has stepped into the right side defending position and played it well, especially last Saturday against Rock Springs, according to Cornejo.

"I think we have our back line figured out and we can move forward," Cornejo said.